Jennifer Aniston’s appearance at the launch of her new fragrance on March 10 (above) had many speculating about whether the star had undergone plastic surgery. I bring up the topic not because I like to gossip about celebrities (I don’t) but to instigate a discussion on views about cosmetic enhancements.
My first thought upon hearing the suggestion that Aniston had undergone Botox or something like it was sympathy. I find it sad that women in her profession, or even in more down-to-earth positions, feel so defined by their appearance that they would go to such lengths to appear to be younger than they actually are.
In the follow-up to her memoir, Portia de Rossi told People magazine how dangerous it is to equate what you look like with who you are. In addition, when high-profile women subject themselves to age-defying procedures they perpetuate the myth that only youth is beautiful and that women over 40 must look younger than their age in order to be loved and accepted.
If Aniston did undergo enhancement procedures, I don’t blame her because she is simply kowtowing to an insidious societal belief that women must look a certain way to be considered beautiful and, in her case, even employable. I am disturbed, however, by the common place nature of cosmetic enhancements nowadays, the rise of which clearly demonstrates to me how much women are valued for their outer beauty rather than what’s inside.
What do you think about cosmetic enhancements?
Generally i’m not a fan of cosmetic procedures to lower the age you look but i myself have always wanted a nose job and would probably get it done if i could afford it but thats not for anyone else just for me.
I may be hypocritical but to me a nose job is more understandable and it’s not trying to make yourself look younger.
While typically I’m of the school, if you don’t like something change it, but I couldn’t agree more that that thinking leads to a very slippery slope and ultimately reinforces the notion that women have to look a certain way in order to be accepted.
It’s really unfortunate because in most causes (outside of needing surgery for health reasons) women are beautiful as is and don’t need surgery or enhancements.
I agree that if we truly love ourselves we don’t feel the need for such enhancements.
I definitely disagree with cosmetic enhancements if they pose any risk to health. A general anaethetic carries some risk so for me it would be out of the question. There is also the risk that it could go wrong and you could end up looking worse than before. I think I would rather grow old gracefully but then I don’t work in a business where my carreer depnds on how I look.
I would rather grow old gracefully, too, and I think those actresses that do so always look more attractive.
Personally I don’t have a problem with cosmetic surgery. I think that if a person chooses to enhance or change something about themselves that’s bothering them why not. I will probably have surgery when I get older and I have no shame in admitting that. Many celebrities don’t want to admit it because they get criticized for it (especially from other women).
Thanks for the input. I won’t criticize you!
I belong to the school of Julianne Moore who I heard say recently, “People who get plastic surgery don’t look younger. They just look like they’ve had plastic surgery.”
Oh my goodness, that’s so perfect. I want to get Julianne’s quote framed and put on my wall.
I love that julianne Moore quote! Its Very true. I do wish that people would leave their faces alone but, that said, I understand why women in Hollywood do it. In a world where every thing is based on being young and looking good,and where money is no object, I can see how they are tempted by the lure of looking better and younger. Is it ok? No.
Cosmetic surgery, for whatever reason, is a highly personal choice. I don’t understand the need of others to pass judgment or make assumptions about someone’s level of self-love if they opt to have it. Cosmetic procedures can be life-transforming and very beneficial. To each his own, you know? Why do we need to psychoanalyze people or pick them apart because they want to feel their very best?
••V••
http://www.gritandglamour.com
@gritandglamour
I just find it sad that feeling our very best means altering our appearance. Self-acceptance is self-love to me. And the personal is political: our choices in these matters effect others as they perpetuate the belief that women need to look younger in order to be beautiful.
With all due respect, Laura, I’ve had two cosmetic procedures in my life, and my choice had nothing to do with anyone but myself. I’m no sooner responsible for perpetuating a societal belief by making an individual choice than society is responsible for the choices I personally make.
I don’t love myself any less because I’ve chosen to change some things about my appearance. Frankly, that argument can be applied to cosmetics, hair coloring, shaving, and all of our beauty regimens. If our self-acceptance is tied to our appearance, then essentially your argument means that ANY endeavor to alter us from our natural states indicates a lack of self-acceptance. So where do we draw the line?
••V••
http://www.gritandglamour.com
@gritandglamour
A lot of great comments above that reflect both sides of the argument, and because of that I spent the whole time straddling the fence while composing this comment. I believe cosmetic procedures as a whole are a personal choice, and everyone is entitled to their own decisions and opinions. However, as far as partaking in these procedures in order to appear more youthful… I understand wanting to do it for yourself, and to make yourself feel better, but at the same time it’s a real shame so much importance is placed on youth that aging gracefully doesn’t seem to be fashionable. I think when you start getting procedures done in order to appear more youthful, you’re opening a can of worms; once you start banishing those fine lines and wrinkles with things like botox, won’t you feel the need to maintain that, meaning more and more procedures as you continue to age? Than again, like V pointed out, I suppose the same argument could be made for hair coloring…
Yes, V gave me some food for thought as well…
Very interesting comments. I’ve enjoyed reading through them. While I don’t judge anyone who chooses to undergo any elective procedures – who’s to say I might want a bit of filler in the future – but I do feel it reveals something about the person who chooses to do it (whether it be lack of self-confidence, their job/livlihood depends on it, etc).
I believe this topic touched a nerve with some. I never say never, either.